DHARAMSHALA, October 19: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned home to Dharamshala today following his maiden visit to Manipur where he attended an international conference on Peace and Harmony in Imphal on October 18 at the Imphal City Convention Center.

The Dalai Lama visited the state on the invitation from the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Yumnam Khemchand Singh. In his address to over 700 people in the convention center, His Holiness said that the most of the contemporary problems face by mankind are created by humans.

“It is because, we are subject to emotions without properly using our intelligence. Human beings are not fundamentally negative, but are prone to be swayed by anger and fear. We take such emotions for granted without realizing how destructive they can be,” said His Holiness.

The Dalai Lama urged the younger generations of India to pay more attention to ancient knowledge of the workings of mind. He also believes that India is the only nation that can combine its ancient knowledge with modern education, thus making a ‘significant contribution to world peace’.

In response to a question regarding his successor, the 82-year old Tibetan spiritual leader said, “Whether a 15th Dalai Lama is recognized is not my business. As early as 1969 I made clear that whether the institution of the Dalai Lama continues after me will be up to the Tibetan people to decide. I’ve also made it clear that when I’m between 85 and 90, I will discuss the future of the succession with Tibet’s other spiritual leaders.”

Before making his maiden visit to Manipur, the Dalai Lama launched the Universal Ethics Curriculum for Indian schools prepared by Ayur Gyan Nyas in Meerut on October 17. The curriculum will be carried out in nine different schools as a pilot project.

Following the cancelation of his scheduled trip to Japan on the advise from his doctors, the Dalai Lama will have two separate three-day teachings at Bodh Gaya in January from 5 to 7 and 14 to 16.